Tuthill KINNEY KC Series User manual

KINNEY®
Two-Stage, Rotary Piston Vacuum Pump
KC Series
Models
KC-5 KC-15
KC-8
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems tuthillvacuumblower.com 800.825.6937
WARNING: Do Not Operate Before Reading Manual
Operator’s Manual: Tuthill KC Series Two-Stage, Rotary Piston Vacuum Pump
Copyright © 2017 Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems
All rights reserved. Product information and specications subject to change.

Disclaimer Statement:
All information, illustrations and specications in this manual are based on the latest information available at
the time of publishing. The illustrations used in this manual are intended as representative reference views only.
Products are under a continous improvement policy. Thus, information, illustrations and/or specications to
explain and or exemplify a product, service or maintenance improvement may be changed at any time without
notice.
Rights Reserved Statement:
No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form by any means - graphic, electronic or me-
chanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems - without the
written permission of Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems.
Copyright © 2017 Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems
All rights reserved. Product information and specications subject to change.
The employees of Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems thank you for your purchase!
Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems proudly manufactures
Kinney®vacuum pumps and M-D PneumaticsTM blowers and
vacuum boosters in Springeld, Missouri, USA. We bring
100+ years of engineering experience and solid, hands-
on care to help customers keep their processes running.
Your satisfaction is important to us so please take time to
provide your Tuthill sales representative with performance
feedback. We love to hear from our customers!
Tuthill is a family owned business that was started by James
B. Tuthill in 1892. At that time, Tuthill manufactured com-
mon brick to Chicago construction companies who were
fueling the city’s rapid expansion. Fast forward to today
and Tuthill now serves sustaining, global markets like agri-
culture, chemical, construction, energy, food and beverage,
pharmaceuticals and medical, transportation, and utilities.
While the company has changed in what it manufactures,
one thing remains throughout every Tuthill line of business
– we are a company with HEART. Our slogan is “Pump Your
Heart Into It” and everyday our employees do just that as
they represent the Tuthill brand and dare to make better.
Thank you for making Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems
part of your company’s process! FIND OUT MORE AT
TUTHILL.COM
A company with heart
right from the start.

i
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................. 1
Description............................................................................................ 1
Pump Components ............................................................................... 2
Operating Cycle ......................................................................... 2
Sealing and Lubrication ............................................................. 3
Oil Types .................................................................................... 3
Specifications........................................................................................ 4
Safety ............................................................................................ 5
Graphic Conventions Used in this Manual............................................ 5
Safety Instruction Tags.......................................................................... 5
Safety Precautions for Rotary Piston Pumps......................................... 6
Installation .................................................................................... 7
Mounting ............................................................................................... 7
V-Belt..................................................................................................... 7
Discharge Piping .................................................................................. 7
Vacuum Piping ...................................................................................... 7
Vacuum Gauges ................................................................................... 9
Electrical Connections .......................................................................... 9
General ................................................................................................. 9
Filling the Pump with Oil...................................................................... 10
KC-5 and KC-8 ......................................................................... 10
KC-15 ....................................................................................... 10

ii
Table of Contents
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
Pre-Start Checks................................................................................. 10
Operation .....................................................................................11
Starting the Pump ............................................................................... 12
Stopping the Pump ............................................................................. 12
Gas Ballast.......................................................................................... 12
Special Refrigeration Service Pumps ................................................ 13
Maintenance ............................................................................... 14
Periodic Maintenance ......................................................................... 14
Changing the Oil ................................................................................. 14
Flooding .............................................................................................. 15
Oil Mist Eliminator ............................................................................... 15
Stalling ................................................................................................ 17
Troubleshooting......................................................................... 18
Checking Pump Performance............................................................. 19
Pump Leaks ........................................................................................ 20
Checking Process Equipment ............................................................ 20
Process Equipment Leaks .................................................................. 20
Leak Checking Techniques................................................................. 21
Oil Contamination................................................................................ 21
Discharge Valve .................................................................................. 21
Shaft Seal ............................................................................................ 22
Disassembly ............................................................................... 24
Reassembly ................................................................................ 26
Replacement Parts..................................................................... 29
Spare Parts ......................................................................................... 29
Ordering Parts .................................................................................... 29
Exploded Views and Parts Lists.......................................................... 30
KC-5 and KC-8 Exploded View Drawing .................................. 30
KC-5 and KC-8 Parts List ......................................................... 31

iii
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
Table of Contents
KC-8C Exploded View Drawing................................................ 32
KC-8C Parts List....................................................................... 33
KC-15D Exploded View Drawing.............................................. 34
KC-15D Parts List..................................................................... 35
KC-15L Exploded View Drawing .............................................. 36
KC-15L Parts List ..................................................................... 37

iv
Table of Contents
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000

Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
1
CONGRATULATIONS on the purchase of a new
KINNEY® KC™ Two-stage, Rotary Piston Vacuum
Pump from Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems.
Please examine the pump for shipping damage,
and if any damage is found, report it immediately to
the carrier. If the blower is to be installed at a later
date, make sure it is stored in a clean, dry location
and rotated regularly. Make sure covers are kept
on all openings. If blower is stored outdoors, be
sure to protect it from weather and corrosion.
KINNEY KC vacuum pumps are built to exacting
standards and, if properly installed and maintained,
will provide many years of reliable service. Read
and follow every step of these instructions when
installing and maintaining the blower.
WARNING
!
Serious injury can result from operating or
repairing this machine without rst reading the
service manual and taking adequate safety
precautions.
OTE:NRecord the pump model and serial
numbers in the OPERATING DATA form
on the inside back cover of this manual.
Use this identication on any replacement
part orders, or if service or application
assistance is required.
DESCRIPTION
The KC series of compound high vacuum pumps
covered by this manual consists of two basic pump
groups models:
• KC-5 and KC-8
• KC-15
The pumps within each of the rst two groups are
identical except for the motor and V-belt drive,
which differ in order to produce different rotational
speeds. Specically, models KC-5 and KC-8 are
the same except that the KC-8 is driven faster.
Each Kinney KC pump is an air-cooled rotary
piston high vacuum pump consisting of two rotary
piston pumping stages, which operate in series.
These pumps attain low ultimate pressures of less
than 2 x 10-4 Torr (McLeod gauge). The rugged,
simple design ensures dependable service under
the most severe applications without costly
or complicated maintenance. All components
are easily serviced, and no special tools are
required. Reliable, leak-free shaft seals require no
adjustments or maintenance.
Each pump is equipped with a gas ballast valve,
which regulates the vapor handling capacity of the
pump. Gas ballast helps increase the operation
period between oil changes by preventing oil
contamination by most condensable vapors. It can
also be used to clean the oil once it has become
contaminated. Use of gas ballast also reduces
pump operating noise.
A combination oil separator and oil mist eliminator
is used in place of a conventionally designed oil
INTRODUCTION
01

Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
2
01
Introduction
separator. This combination oil separator and oil
mist eliminator thoroughly lters the pump exhaust
and results in a cleaner pump area, without
expensive and space-consuming exhaust piping
systems.
See Specications on page 4 for pump
specications.
PUMP COMPONENTS
Each pump basically consists of two rotary piston
pumping stages connected in series – a high
vacuum stage and a backing stage. The two rotary
pistons are driven by two eccentric cams keyed to
a common shaft. Each rotary piston has a hollow
extension (slide) that moves through a slide pin
and leads to the inlet of the particular pumping
stage. Ports are cast into the inlet side of each
piston and these ports together with the slide pins
form automatic inlet valves.
The two pumping stages are connected in series
by an internal duct and are enclosed in a single
cylinder. The ends of the cylinder are enclosed by
an open head, through which the shaft extends,
and a closed head. The open head contains a shaft
seal to prevent leakage along the shaft.
A spring-loaded discharge valve is located at the
discharge side of the backing stage (on the open
head end of the pump). An oil mist eliminator is
mounted above the backing stage.
A sight gauge is provided for checking the oil level
in the pump. When the pump is operating at low
inlet pressure, the level should be in the center of
the sight gauge. The oil level will change with large
changes in pump inlet pressure.
Operating Cycle
The operating cycle is shown in Figure 1-1. Gas
from the system enters through the pump inlet.
It passes through the hollow piston slide and out
through the piston slide port into the space being
created between the piston and cylinder wall. As
the piston rotates, this space increases and more
gas is drawn in. At the same time, the gas taken
in and trapped on the previous revolution is on the
compression side of the piston and slide where
it is compressed and discharged into the cored
passageway that leads to the inlet of the backing
stage.
The rotary piston pumping cycle is repeated in the
backing stage. The gas is compressed and forced
out through the discharge valves along with a small
amount of oil and then into the oil mist eliminator
where the oil is separated from the gas. The gas is
discharged to atmosphere and the oil drains back
to the reservoir.

3
01
Introduction
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
Figure 1-1 – Pump Operating Cycle
Sealing and Lubrication
The cylinder walls, pistons, and slide pins are
lubricated and sealed against the backow of
gas by a lm of oil, which lls the close running
clearances. When operating, the cylindrical part
of the piston almost touches the pump cylinder
at a line along the length of the piston. At this
moving line, an effective wave of oil is pushed
ahead of the piston. The oil forms a vacuum tight
seal between the piston and the cylinder, as well
as between all other working components. The
same oil also supplies all required lubrication.
The oil ows through the pump by means of
differential pressure. Because of high pressure at
the discharge and low pressure at the inlet of each
stage, the oil is forced from both oil reservoirs (one
at the discharge of each stage), through internal
cored passageways leading to each pumping
stage. The oil from the backing stage reservoir
lubricates and seals the backing stage, whereas
the oil from the high vacuum stage reservoir
lubricates and seals the high vacuum stage. At the
end of the compression stroke, the oil is forced
out with the discharged gas and returns to the
respective oil reservoir.
Oil Types
The ability of each KC pump to obtain and hold
pressures in the low micron range depends partly
on the use of the proper sealing and lubricating
oil. The AX Vacuum Oil recommended for use with
these pumps is a dry, low-vapor pressure uid with
suitable viscosity. Such oil is necessary for a high
pumping speed at low pressure.
It may be necessary to use other uids for special
applications. If varnishing is a concern, high-
detergent oils may be used. If low-temperature
starting is required, other more suitable uid may
be used. Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems can
recommend uids to t most special applications.

Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
4
01
Introduction
SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL KC-5 KC-8 KC-15
Free air displacement 5 CFM
(1.42 L/sec)
8 CFM
(3.78 L/sec)
15 CFM
(7.08 L/sec)
Pump speed 630 rpm 1,000 rpm 525 rpm
Motor 0.33 HP
(0.25 kW)
0.5 HP
(0.37 kW)
1.0 HP
(0.75 kW)
Oil capacity 0.5 qt
(0.47 L)
0.8 qt
(0.76 L)
3 qt
(2.84 L)
Inlet connection 1 in. FNPT 1 in. FNPT 2 in. FNPT
Discharge connection 3/4 in. FNPT 3/4 in. FNPT 1-1/4 in. FNPT
Pump shaft diameter 3/4 in.
(19.1 mm)
3/4 in.
(19.1 mm)
3/4 in.
(19.1 mm)
Approximate length 19.13 in.
(486 mm)
19.50 in.
(495 mm)
22.50
(572 mm)
Approximate width 13.25 in.
(337)
12.31 in.
(313 mm)
18.06
(459 mm)
Approximate height 16.19 in.
(411 mm)
16.19 in.
(411 mm)
25.75
(654 mm)
Approximate weight (complete assembly) 115 lb
(52 kg)
120 lb
(54 kg)
210 lb
(95 kg)
Table 1-1

5
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
GRAPHIC CONVENTIONS USED IN
THIS MANUAL
The following hazard levels are referenced within
this manual:
DANGER
!
Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING
!
Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.
CAUTION
!
Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not
avoided, could result in minor or moderate
injury.
Indicates a situation that can cause damage
to the engine, personal property, and/or
the environment or cause the equipment to
operate improperly.
NOT:NIndicates a procedure, practice, or
condition that should be followed in
order for the equipment to function in the
manner intended.
SAFETY INSTRUCTION TAGS
WARNING
!
Do not operate without belt
guard.
CAUTION
!
Do not valve or restrict pump discharge
opening.
Use oil mist eliminator when operating pump,
ensure adequate ventilation when discharging
indoors.
Refer to manual safety instructions.
The above safety instruction tags were
permanently afxed to your pump prior to
shipment. Do not remove, paint over or
obscure in any manner.
Failure to heed these warnings could result in
serious bodily injury to the personnel operating
and maintaining this equipment.
SAFETY
02

6
02
Safety
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR
ROTARY PISTON PUMPS
Please read the following safety information before
operating the vacuum pump.
• Do not operate the pump without the belt guard
properly attached. Disconnect the pump motor
from the electrical supply at the main disconnect
before removing the belt guard. Replace the belt
guard before reconnecting the power supply to
the pump motor. Operating the pump without the
belt guard properly installed exposes personnel
in the vicinity of the pump to risk from rotating
drive components.
• Do not operate the pump with oxygen-enriched
gas (greater than 20% by volume) in the suction
line, unless the pump has been prepared with an
inert uid suitable for the application.
WARNING
!
Pumping oxygen-enriched gases with mineral
oil or other non-inert uids can cause re or
explosion in the pump, resulting in damage or
serious bodily injury.
• Take precautions to avoid prolonged or
excessive exposure to oil mist or process
materials emanating from the discharge of the
pump.
•Do not allow the pump to discharge into a closed
or inadequately ventilated room. Always use a
discharge oil mist eliminator unless the pump
discharge is discharged to outside atmosphere.
Laws and ordinances may pertain to your local
area regarding discharge of oil mist or vapor to
atmosphere. Check local laws and ordinances
prior to operation of the pump with discharge to
outside atmosphere. Venting of the discharge of
an oil mist eliminator to outside atmosphere is
highly recommended.
• Do not restrict the pump discharge in any way or
place valves in the discharge line. The vacuum
pump is a compressor and will generate high
pressures without stalling the motor when
operated at low suction pressures. Excessive
pressure could cause damage or serious bodily
injury.
• Disconnect the pump motor from the electrical
supply at the main disconnect before
disassembling or servicing the pump. Make
sure the pump is completely reassembled, the
belt guard is properly installed, and all ll and
drain valves are installed and closed before
reconnecting the power supply. Accidental
starting or operation of the pump while
maintenance is in progress could cause damage
or serious bodily injury.
• Lift pump only by the lifting lugs supplied with
the pump. Never lift equipment attached to
pump by the pump lifting lugs.
• Do not touch hot surfaces on the pump. In
normal operation at low pressures, surface
temperatures will not normally exceed 180°F
(82°C). Prolonged operation at 200 Torr
(267 mbar a) may cause surface temperatures
as high as 220°F (104°C).

7
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
MOUNTING
If only a bare shaft pump has been supplied,
mount it on a level, rigid base. Connect it to a
motor and operate it at the rotational speed shown
in Specications on page 4. Wire the motor
so that the direction of the shaft rotation is as
shown by the arrow cast on the pump. On standard
pumps, this is clockwise when facing the pump
pulley.
V-BELT
When installing a V-belt drive, loosen the motor
mounting screws and slide the motor toward the
pump. Position the V-belt on the pulleys. Move the
motor away from the pump to tighten the drive.
To check the tension of the V-belt drive, apply
normal thumb pressure to the top of the V-belt
midway between the two pulleys. The tightest belt
should not depress more than its own thickness.
Adjust the belt tension as required, but do not over-
tighten or under-tighten the drive. A general rule
for correct V-belt tension is to tighten the drive just
enough to prevent slippage when operating at full
load (that is, with the pump gas ballast valve fully
opened). Recheck the tension of the V-belts after
the rst 48 hours of operation.
DISCHARGE PIPING
If desired, connect discharge piping to the
discharge tting on top of the oil mist eliminator to
vent or reclaim the exhaust gases.
When connecting the discharge piping, use a
dropout trap at the connection to the oil mist
eliminator. Otherwise, condensate from the
discharge piping will drip back into the oil separator
and may contaminate the oil.
A simple dropout trap consists of a tee equipped
with a drain cock for condensate removal. Place
a exible connection, such as rubber hose, at
the discharge of the pump to eliminate a rigid
connection and to provide a convenient disconnect
point for servicing. Turn down the outside end of
the discharge line to prevent rain entry.
VACUUM PIPING
The vacuum piping to the pump inlet should be as
large and as short as possible. Use manifolding
that is no smaller than the pump inlet. Tuthill
recommends arranging the inlet manifolding to
prevent oil migration back into the system. See
Figure 3-1 for recommended arrangements of
vacuum manifolding with integral oil bafes.
INSTALLATION
03

8
03
Installation
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
Figure 3-1 – Vacuum Manifolding with Integral Oil Baffles
As with all rotary mechanical pumps, it is best to
install a exible member in the suction manifold
of the pump to avoid alignment problems and
to reduce the possibility of transmitting vibration
to and from other components. Self-supporting
bellows-type exible connectors are recommended
and are available from Tuthill Vacuum & Blower
Systems. Other types of connectors may be too
hard and transmit vibration, or they may be too
soft and may exert considerable force on the pump
and piping when collapsing under atmospheric
pressure. To ensure proper lubrication at initial
start-up, pour a small amount of oil into the pump
suction before connecting the inlet piping.
Make all inlet connections vacuum-tight. Make
sure that the pressure at the end of the connecting
manifold is very close to the pressure obtained with
the pump inlet blanked off. All demountable joints
should be O-ring sealed.

9
03
Installation
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
If threaded connections are used, clean the
threads and turn them together about two turns.
Cover the remaining exposed threads with a
sealing compound such as Loctite 567 or PTFE
tape for piping up to 1 in. (25.4 mm) in diameter.
Use Titeseal on large pipe sizes. Screw the joint
together tightly.
Install a vacuum isolation valve between the
system and the pump with a means for connecting
a vacuum gauge on both sides of the valve and
an air admittance valve on the pump side of the
isolation valve. With such an arrangement, it is
possible to check either the system or the pump
for leaks without disconnecting the vacuum piping.
This isolation valve will also allow the system to be
kept under vacuum while the pump is not running,
and it will allow the pump to remain operating while
the system is open to atmospheric pressure.
VACUUM GAUGES
Two types of vacuum gauges are used for testing
vacuum equipment:
• Total pressure reading types, such as thermistor
or thermocouple gauges
• Partial pressure reading McLeod gauges
The McLeod gauge indicates the partial pressure
of permanent gases. It does not indicate the
component of pressure due to condensable
gases such as water vapor. It is not greatly
affected by vapor contamination unless the
contamination pressure is quite high. It is most
useful in conrming pump performance and for
determining the absence or presence of real leaks.
Thermistor or thermocouple gauges are preferable
for leak checking and indicating the degree of
contamination.
A high thermistor or thermocouple gauge reading
may indicate that the pump is contaminated, that
the pump leaks, or both. A high McLeod gauge
reading means that a real leak is present.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
WARNING
!
Disconnect pump from electrical power
source prior to making repairs or adjustments
to any electric component of the unit.
Check the operating voltage of the motor by
comparing the lead connections with the markings
on the motor. Connect the motor to the proper
power source through the necessary switching
and safety equipment. After wiring is complete,
momentarily start and stop the motor to check
the direction of rotation against the arrow cast on
the pump. If the rotation is in the wrong direction,
switch any two wire leads to correct the direction.
These are generally printed on the connections
cover plate.
NOT:NStandard pumps rotate clockwise as
viewed when facing the pump pulley.
WARNING
!
When operating the pump in an enclosed
area it is necessary, for health reasons, to
have the area well ventilated. If ventilation is
not adequate, the pump discharge should be
ltered or piped to open air.
Do not block or restrict the ow of gas from
the pump discharge. Back pressure could
cause severe damage.
Ohe belt guard must be properly secured
to the pump at all times while the pump is
running.
GENERAL
Kinney KC pumps are designed for low-pressure
operation. They are not generally suitable for
prolonged periods of operation at high pressures.
Each pump has been thoroughly tested and
is ready for operation as soon as it is installed
and lled with oil. If the vacuum system is tight,
including the connections to the pump, the ultimate

10
03
Installation
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
system pressure should be close to that obtained
with the pump inlet closed off.
FILLING THE PUMP WITH OIL
See Specications on page 4 for the quantity
of oil required for each model. Upon initial start-up,
pour a small quantity of oil into the pump inlet to
ensure adequate lubrication on starting. Pour the
remainder of the required oil quantity into the pump
as follows:
KC-5 and KC-8
1. Unscrew the oil mist eliminator from the pump.
2. Remove the high vacuum stage oil ll plug.
3. Pour approximately 1/3 of the required quantity
of oil into the high vacuum stage of the pump.
4. Pour the remaining quantity of oil through the
threaded hole from which the oil mist eliminator
was removed.
5. Check that the ll plug and gasket are clean
and in good condition.
6. Replace the plug and gasket, making a
vacuum-tight seal.
7. Replace the oil mist eliminator on the pump.
KC-15
1. Pour approximately 1/8 qt (0.15 L) of oil into
the pump suction port.
2. Pour the remaining 7/8 qt (0.85 L) of oil into the
high vacuum stage oil ll port.
3. Continue to pour the remaining oil into the
discharge port of the pump until the oil level is
approximately 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) below the top of
the sight glass.
PRE-START CHECKS
1. Check that the suction lines are tight and
completely free of all foreign matter.
2. Check that the pump has been lled with oil.
3. Check that the pump can be turned over by
hand without mechanical interference. The inlet
should be open to atmospheric pressure, and
additional turning force is required when the
pump discharges.
4. Check the V-belt tension by applying normal
thumb pressure to the top of the tightest belt
about midway between the two pulleys. The
tightest belt should depress about its own
thickness, indicating proper tension.
In general, V-belts should be tightened just
enough to prevent slippage when operating the
pump under load (that is, operating with a fully
open gas ballast valve).
5. Check that all wiring is completed and correct.
Momentarily start and stop the pump to
check the direction of pump shaft rotation.
On standard pumps, the rotation should be
clockwise when facing the pump pulley.

11
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
04
OPERATION
Figure 4-1 – Pump Components

12
04
Operation
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
STARTING THE PUMP
Perform the pre-start checks as described in
Pre‑Start Checks on page 10.
NOT:NOhe minimum starting temperature is 50°F
(10°C).
1. Depress the motor start switch to start the
pump. It is recommended that the pump be
warmed up before starting process work.
Warm-up requires about 10 minutes of
operation with the pump isolated from the
process equipment.
2. Open the pump isolation valve, if one is
provided, allowing the pump to evacuate the
process equipment.
3. To reduce the operating sound of the pump,
slightly open the gas ballast valve. This is a
preferred method of operation since it helps to
keep the oil clean.
4. Note that the oil level should change when
operating the pump at high and low inlet
pressures. This indicates proper oil ow
through the pump. When the pump is initially
started, the oil level will rise in the backing
stage. When the inlet pressure is reduced to
the micron (10-3 Torr) range, the oil level will
drop to about the center of the sight glass.
5. If the pump is used in an application where
excessive amounts of water vapor are
encountered, remove the mist eliminator
element to prevent condensation. Periodically
stop the pump and open the backing stage oil
drain to drain water accumulation. Drain all
water accumulation each time before starting
the pump, as the pump may be damaged upon
start-up if the water level rises above the oil
inlet port.
STOPPING THE PUMP
1. If a vacuum valve is provided between the
pump and the process equipment, put the
vacuum valve in the closed position.
2. Vent the pump suction to atmospheric pressure
by opening a vent valve. Turn off the power to
the pump motor.
NOT:NIf the system does not have a pump
isolation valve, vent the system to
atmospheric pressure to prevent oil from
being drawn into the vacuum system. Nil
ooding of the pump cylinder could make
restarting difcult. Note that a solenoid-
operated air inlet vent valve is offered as
an accessory on the KC-15 model. This
valve is wired across the motor so that it
will automatically open to vent the pump
inlet when the pump power is turned off.
Ohis valve is adequate for venting only
a small volume. It is not large enough to
vent an attached system.
GAS BALLAST
Gas ballast is an operating mechanism that is
used to prevent the condensation of vapor in a
vacuum pump. Vapor present in the gas being
pumped can condense during the vacuum pump
compression cycle and mix with the vacuum pump
oil. Since this oil is recirculated through the pump,
the condensate is carried with the oil and allowed
to re-evaporate, causing poor pump performance
and making frequent oil changes necessary. If
gas ballast is used, most vapors can be passed
through a vacuum pump without condensing and
then discharged with the pump exhaust.
Gas ballast also reduces discharge valve noise
to a low level. It is generally possible to eliminate
valve noise with a small gas ballast ow, which
does not seriously increase the ultimate pressure.
If the ultimate pressure is tolerable, this is a
preferred method of operating since it also helps to
keep the oil clean.
The setting of the gas ballast valve is best
determined by trial and error because the amount
of condensable vapor, as well as the system
operating conditions, vary with different processes.
In addition, the motor power consumption and the
ultimate pressure increase in proportion to the gas
ballast airow.

13
04
Operation
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
To use the gas ballast technique, proceed as
follows:
• Continuous gas ballast: With the pump
operating, open the gas ballast valve until the
ultimate pressure is slightly below that needed
for the process. Operate the pump in this
manner continuously to aid in preventing oil
contamination.
• Intermittent gas ballast: With the pump
operating, fully open the gas ballast valve during
periods when this will not affect the process
(work preparation, recycling, etc.). This will aid in
cleaning up oil contamination. If not convenient,
operate the pump in this manner overnight to
clean up severely contaminated oil.
If it is necessary to clean up the oil in the shortest
period, use the following procedure as a rough
guide to estimate the total time required to obtain
the desired blank-off pressure.
1. Observe the pump’s blank-off pressure with the
gas ballast valve fully closed.
2. Open the gas ballast valve fully and operate
the pump for about 15 – 20 minutes.
3. Close the gas ballast valve fully and observe
the pressure change in that time period. The oil
is clean when there is no further reduction in
pressure.
SPECIAL REFRIGERATION SERVICE
PUMPS
Kinney offers high vacuum pumps that are
specically engineered for servicing refrigeration
equipment, which includes thorough vacuum
drying, degassing, and fast leak detection.
When connecting a pump to a refrigeration unit,
use 1/2 in., 5/8 in., or 3/4 in. copper tubing.
Smaller tubing is not recommended because of
the restriction to gas ow. If it is necessary to vent
the pump exhaust outside, use ordinary hose of
suitable diameter. Do not position the hose so that
condensate can collect and cause blockage, such
as in a loop or sag in the hose.
Before and after using a pump on refrigeration
equipment, remove the cap in the drop-out trap
to drain all liquid condensate. Drain the pump,
ush, and recharge it with fresh oil after each use
if it will not be used again for 2 or 3 days. This will
protect the pump during storage from rust and
contaminants, which are frequently encountered in
refrigeration service.

14
Manual 1807 Rev B p/n 001807 0000
05
MAINTENANCE
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
Check the oil level daily for the rst week of
operation and weekly thereafter. The oil level
should be about midway on the sight gauge when
operating at low inlet pressures. However, the oil
level will change with large changes in pump inlet
pressure. If there are no changes in the oil level,
check for obstructed oil passages.
Check the condition of the oil periodically by
draining a small quantity of oil into a clean
container and visually inspecting it for solid or liquid
contaminants.
Change the oil when it is contaminated. There is
no xed interval for changing the pump oil, since
applications vary widely. This interval can be
determined only by experience or deterioration of
pump performance. At minimum, change the pump
oil after each 3-month operating (not storage or
idle) period.
CHANGING THE OIL
All moisture, as well as other vapors present in the
system, will be drawn into the pump. Some may be
condensed and will collect in the backing stage oil
reservoir, contaminating the pump oil and causing
poor pump performance. Proper use of gas ballast
will minimize the amount of condensate and reduce
the frequency of oil changes.
Change the oil when it becomes contaminated
with foreign matter or with chemicals. The period
between changes is best determined by the user
for his or her particular operation.
To drain the oil:
1. Remove both drain plugs on the side of the
cylinder.
2. If drain valves are provided, open both drain
valves.
3. To clear all the oil out of the cylinder, open the
pump inlet (suction) to atmosphere. Turn the
pump over a few revolutions to drive the oil out
of the cylinder.
4. Replace the drain plugs.
5. Fill the pump with oil as described in Filling
the Pump with Oil on page 10.
NOT:NIf the oil is severely contaminated, it
may be necessary to ush the pump by
changing the oil several times, with a
short period of operation between each
change, to check the pump’s blank-off
pressure.